PEP: Preparing for the new season with new faces?

“According to the Daily Mail, City have offered £40m for Walker, but that is £10m shy of Spurs' price tag on the right-back as Spurs look to get top dollar for the former Sheffield United defender.

“Walker has refused to comment on his future but is understood to favour the idea of moving back closer to his family home this summer having grown unhappy at Kieran Trippier displacing him as the guaranteed starter for Spurs at right-back.

“Trippier's emergence, coupled with Mauricio Pochettino's belief that Walker cannot play twice in a week, have led City to enter the running for the 27-year-old's signature but Spurs are adamant Walker will leave on their terms.”

The Telegraph also discuss Walker, but add Dani Alves and Benjamin Mendy to the mix – two familiar names to this column – suggesting the Blues are keen to tie up all three before the US tour.

James Ducker writes: “Manchester City hope to wrap up the signing of three full-backs before they fly to the United States for the start of their pre-season tour next month but Pep Guardiola is prepared to play a waiting game over Arsenal forward Alexis Sánchez.

“Dani Alves could be the first of those through the door, with City aiming to get a deal for the Brazil right-back over the line this week. Alves, 34, is a free agent after terminating his contract with Juventus and is expected to sign at least a two-year deal with City.

“City are still haggling with Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco over fees for England right-back Kyle Walker and France left-back Benjamin Mendy but hope to have both players in place before Guardiola and his squad fly to Houston on July 17. City face Manchester United in the International Champions Cup three days later.”

So, to that new name.

In a tenuous link special, Sport360 claim Borussia Dortmund star Ousmane Dembele has travelled to Manchester for informal talks as they write: “Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were thought to be leading the chase for Ousmane Dembele but according Le 10 Foot the Borussia Dortmund forward has met with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

“It is understood Dembele is keen to leave the Bundesliga giants this summer and the report says he dined with Guardiola in Manchester on Monday night to discuss a potential move to the Etihad Stadium.”